Vital Records

General Information:

The Town Clerk's Office is responsible for the permanent storage of all vital records (i.e. birth, marriage and death records).

Maine Law will require a person requesting a copy of records less than 100 years old to provide documentation establishing their direct and legitimate interest in the records. Requests to the Town Office must be made in writing. If you are unable to apply in-person at the Town Office, you must contact VitalChek at Vitalchek.com or (877) 523-2659.

Individuals who may access vital records include:

• The person named on the record;
• The person’s spouse or registered domestic partner;
• The parent(s) named on the record;
• Descendants of the person named on the record;
• Registrant’s legal custodian, guardian, or conservator or respective authorized representative (includes attorney, physician, or funeral director); and
• Genealogists who have a Maine CDC issued researcher identification card.

Proof of identity must also be presented to the municipal clerks or state Vital Records Office staff. A brief application for securing a copy of the vital record must be filled out and presented, along with positive identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or other government issued picture identification that clearly shows that the person requesting the record is who they say they are.

More information on this issue may be found at the Maine CDC website.

Documents:

• Direct and Legitimate Interest Brochure
• Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record

Filing:

Birth Certificates are filed with:

• The City or Town in which the child was born;
• The City or Town in which the mother was living at the time of the birth; and
• The State Office of Vital Records.

Marriage Certificates are filed with:

• The City or Town in which intentions were filed and the license was issued; and
• The State Office of Vital Records.

Death Certificates are filed with:

• The City or Town of residence at the time of death;
• The City or Town where the death occurred; and
• The State Office of Vital Records.